Burmese pumpkin stew

 This is one of my favorite side dishes to make when cooking Southeast Asian food (and I will make it with both Burmese curries and Thai curries). You could certainly eat this on its own, but it is more common to eat along with something else (as is common in both Thai and Burmese cuisines!). 

I find that it pairs well with a vegetable (such as stir fried bok choy or green beans) and a curry, such as a Thai red curry dish or a Burmese meat curry). 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 lb. peeled Kabocha squash cut into 1-in cubes (about 4 large cups)
• 3 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp minced ginger
• 3/4 - 1 cup of diced yellow onion
• 1/4 tsp chili powder (or more if you want more heat)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp paprika (ideally not smoked)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp tamarind concentrate
• 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
• 2 cups water
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Cut, peel, and seed the Kabocha squash (note: I highly recommend buying pre-peeled and pre-cut Kabocha squash if you can...it is an absolutely pain - and potential danger to your fingers if using a knife - to peel)
2. In a large sauce pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they begin to turn translucent (about 6 minutes). 
3. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili powder and cook for an additional 5 minutes. 
4. Add the squash, turmeric, paprika, and salt and give 1-2 stirs to mix together. 
5. Add the water and the tamarind concentrate and give another 1-2 stirs. 
6. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover. 
7. Simmer (uncovered) for about 10-11 minutes. The squash should then be tender when pierced with a fork or knife but not mushy. If you cannot pierce with a fork or knife easily, cook an additional 2 minutes. 
8. Remove the pieces of pumpkin from the pot (but not the juices!)
9. Bring the heat to medium-low and reduce the stew/curry sauce for an additional 4-5 minutes until thicker
10. Remove from the heat, add the pumpkin back into the pot, and stir gently until combined. 
11. Serve over rice with whatever else you are serving!